Briefs...

Registration process of NWA IDPs begins
By Habibullah Khan
MIRANSHAH: The authorities on Wednesday started the registration process of the displaced tribesmen for their repatriation into their native villages in Mir Ali and Spinwam subdivisions of the North Waziristan Agency. The government has announced a phase-wise repatriation of the displaced tribesmen of NWA.In the first phase that would begin from March 31, the tribesmen of 24 villages in Mir Ali and Spinwam subdivisions would be sent to their homes and villages.Assistant Political Agent Miranshah Zahiruddin Babar told The News that 300 families registered themselves for their proposed repatriation.

‘Iron fortified flour becomes compulsory
in Punjab from Sept ’
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said the production of iron fortified flour has become compulsory from September 2015 to eliminate anemia, es pecially from mothers and children. He said the Punjab government would ensure the observance of licensing and associated procedures in the province in view of the serious situation of the surplus capacity of flourmills. He said this while addressing participants at a seminar held at the PCS IR auditorium on Wednesday. Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said 62 percent of children and 51 percent of mothers were suffering from iron deficiency and nutrition was an urgent need to address emergency.

Punjab govt to invite bids for buying
20 APCs worth Rs436 million
By Ziaullah Niazi
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to invite bids from eight prequalified firms for purchasing 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) during the current fiscal year at an estimated cost of Rs436 million to maintain law and order in the province. This decision has been made during a meeting Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) held on March 11-12 to review law & order situation in the province. The meeting was chaired by Punjab Home Minister Col (retd) Shuja Khanzada.

School blown up in Mohmand
By our correspondent
GHALLANAI: Militants blew up a state-run school in Ekkaghund in Mohmand Agency, official sources said on Wednesday. The sources said that militants had planted explosives to the Government Primary School Shaal Kor in Ekkaghund, which went off at midnight. The two-room structure was destroyed in the blast. The political administration started investigation after the incident.

College teachers in KP demand better salaries
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa College Teachers Association Wednesday staged a protest demonstration in favour of their demands of up-gradation and equitable service structure.The protesting teachers were led by president of the association Professor Nasrullah Khan. They were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands.The protesting teachers said the raise in their salary was not in accordance with the price hike.

Kidnapped doctor in KP recovered after seven months
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: A doctor, who was kidnapped from Mathra village some seven months ago, was recovered by the local police on Wednesday. SP Rural Shakirullah Bangash told journalists that Dr Asghar had been kidnapped from the limits of the Mathra Police Station on August 31 last year. The police while working out the case recovered the kidnapped doctor and arrested the alleged kidnapper Ismail in a raid.

Militant commanders held in Peshawar
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: The Counter-Terrorism Department Wednesday claimed to have arrested two militant commanders for alleged involvement in collecting extortion for a banned militants outfit in Khyber Agency, an official communiqué said.It said acting on a tip-off, the officials arrested commander Gul Mir Khan and Ishaq affiliated with the outlawed Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) during an action near Bakhshi Pul area in Peshawar.It said the militant commanders belonged to Bara in Khyber Agency. They were handed over to the political administration of Khyber Agency, the release added.

Nadra asked to unblock cards
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: Former nazims and councilors on Wednesday demanded authorities of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to unblock identity cards of locals and ensure facilities to public at its centres. Addressing at a news conference at the press club, Chairman of the Ittehad, Sabir Hussain Awan said that 72,000 computerised national identity cards (CNICs) had been blocked and 52,000 out of the total belonged to Peshawar district. He said they had no doubt that some of the foreigners might have acquired CNICs by greasing the palms of the Nadra employees, but added that Pakistanis were also suffering due to blockage of their identity cards.

Lt-Gen Shafqaat Ahmed to lead FFC
By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
ISLAMABAD: The former corps commander of Multan, Lieutenant General (R) Shafqaat Ahmed has been appointed as chief executive, and Managing Director Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC), Lieutenant General (R) Khalid Naeem Lodhi is retiring next week on accomplishment of his three-year tenure. Lt Gen (R) Shafqaat Ahmed attained superannuation in October 2013 from the Army as corps commander of Multan Corps of Pakistan Army.

102 more IDP families leave for SWA
By our correspondent
TANK: Another batch of 102 internally displaced families left for native areas in South Waziristan, official sources said on Wednesday. A total of 613 families were returned to South Waziristan during the last three days. The security forces escorted the repatriating internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Pir Qilla, Sherana and Kartangi in Sarwakai tehsil.

Levies official shot dead in Malakand
By our correspondent
BATKHELA: An official of the Malakand Levies was gunned down by unidentified persons Sakhakot in Malakand Agency on Wednesday, official sources said. They said the official Zor Talab Khan was on his way home after performing duty when unidentified persons traveling in a car opened fire on him at Khangarhi village, leaving him dead.

SIC chief, 99 others booked for anti-government rally
By our correspondent
FAISALABAD: Civil Lines police have registered a case against Sunni Ittehad Council chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza and 99 activists on the charges of staging a demonstration against the government. The others, who were booked, include Malik Bakhsh Elahi, Afzal Qadri, Dr Danish, Munir Ahmad Noorani and Abid. According to the FIR, the Sunni Ittehad Council chairman and other leaders had used derogatory remarks against the PML-N during a demonstration on Tuesday. They also blocked the road. The FIR has been registered on the report of Civil Lines SHO Ahmad Yar.